Skip to main content
Come Fan with UsFriday, June 19, 2026

No. 1 2019 QB recruit JT Daniels skipping senior year and enrolling at USC a year early

In a huge win for the Trojans, super recruit JT Daniels is arriving for 2018.

JT Daniels
JT Daniels
JT Daniels

JT Daniels stunned the college football world Friday as he announced that he would be reclassifying from the recruiting class of 2019 to the class of 2018, and will attend USC.

Out of Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei High School, Daniels was to be the No. 1 QB in the class of 2019, but apparently has enough credits to graduate a full year early and “reclassify” into the class of 2018, the majority of which signed this week. The move is rarely seen in football, but is actually quite popular in basketball recruiting, due to the less physical nature of hoops.

He announced his intentions via a Twitter video released Friday.

With the very possible early departure of QB Sam Darnold for the NFL, the timing could not be better for the Trojans. Before his junior year, Daniels was 6’2 and 200 pounds, and will likely continue to grow and develop. Daniels, a five-star, chose USC over offers from Alabama, LSU, Michigan, Miami, and most of the nation.

The QB at South Carolina, Jake Bentley, also made a similar move prior to the 2016 season. Bentley has played well for the Gamecocks, and did not struggle more than the typical true freshman would be expected to in his first season.

USC did not sign a class of 2018 QB before Daniels, and most expected the Trojans to land Daniels in the class of 2019 anyhow following his commitment in July. He will now have a legitimate chance to start for the Trojans.

Daniels’ high school stats are amazing. He has over 12,000 career passing yards and a 152-14 TD-INT ratio.

For my money, Daniels is a franchise-level QB, and on par with elite passers like Trevor Lawrence and Justin Fields, the No. 1 and 2 players in the 2018 class who signed with Clemson and Georgia, respectively.

Hey Trojans!

Visit our USC blog

Conquest Chronicles

College Football
Oregon coach asks recruits about their favorite ice cream, and it actually makes senseOregon coach asks recruits about their favorite ice cream, and it actually makes sense
College Football

Oregon coaches have a strange question for potential recruits.

By Mark Schofield
College Football
College football transfer portal team rankings for 9 best classes so farCollege football transfer portal team rankings for 9 best classes so far
College Football

We take a look at nine of the top college football transfer portal classes ahead of Friday’s deadline.

By Nick Simon
College Football Recruiting
How NIL is shaping the future of college football recruiting: What you might not knowHow NIL is shaping the future of college football recruiting: What you might not know
College Football Recruiting

NIL has a huge impact in today’s game of college football and recruiting.

By Carrie Berk
College Football Recruiting
These are the college football programs in consideration for 2026 No. 1 RB Derek CooperThese are the college football programs in consideration for 2026 No. 1 RB Derek Cooper
College Football Recruiting

Cooper is a great pass-catcher out of the backfield and will be sought out by many of the top college football programs.

By Rohan Chakravarthi
College Football Recruiting
2026 four-star QB Derek Zammit breaks down recruitment, top suitors ahead of Junior Day visits2026 four-star QB Derek Zammit breaks down recruitment, top suitors ahead of Junior Day visits
College Football Recruiting

The four-star New Jersey quarterback has a ton of suitors from Power 4 conferences early on.

By Rohan Chakravarthi
College Football Recruiting
2026 5-star Kaiden Prothro gives update on his upcoming recruitment decision2026 5-star Kaiden Prothro gives update on his upcoming recruitment decision
College Football Recruiting

We break down the latest on the the talented five-star’s recruitment and which schools are in consideration.

By Rohan Chakravarthi